Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park are two of the most spectacular natural wonders in the United States. Both parks offer visitors the chance to explore rugged deserts and towering mountains, to marvel at ancient rock formations and to experience the beauty of the night sky. Whether you’re looking for an adventure-packed family vacation or a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, these two parks have something to offer. But which one should you choose? Arches National Park is known for its more than 2,000 natural stone arches, while Great Basin National Park is home to the oldest living tree species on Earth. Both parks offer a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, camping, and stargazing, but which one offers the best experience for you? Keep reading to find out!
Hiking Trails in Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park
Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park both offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, but the trails at each park have their own unique characteristics.
Arches National Park is home to some of the most iconic and recognizable natural landscapes in the United States, and the park’s hiking trails offer visitors the opportunity to explore these landscapes up close. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Park Avenue Trail, which is a short, one-mile trail that takes hikers through a section of the park that resembles a city street, and the Windows Trail, which is a one-mile round-trip hike to the park’s famous Windows arches. Some of the most challenging hikes in the park include the Delicate Arch Trail, which is a 3-mile round-trip hike to the park’s most iconic arch, and the Devils Garden Trail, which is a 7.2-mile round-trip hike that takes hikers through a variety of different landscape types.
Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, offers a diverse range of hiking trails for visitors to explore. Some of the easiest hikes in the park include the Bristlecone Pine Trail, which is a short, half-mile trail that takes hikers through a grove of ancient bristlecone pine trees, and the Wheeler Peak Summit Trail, which is a 2.5-mile round-trip hike to the summit of the park’s highest peak. Some of the most challenging hikes in the park include the Alpine Lakes Trail, which is a 10-mile round-trip hike that takes hikers through a variety of different landscape types, and the Glacier Trail, which is a strenuous, 8-mile round-trip hike that takes hikers to the park’s only glacier.
Both of these parks offer a variety of hiking trails for visitors to explore, but the trails at each park have their own unique characteristics. Arches National Park offers a diverse range of hiking trails that showcase the park’s iconic sandstone arches and other natural wonders, while Great Basin National Park offers a more diverse range of hiking trails that take hikers through a variety of different landscape types, including ancient bristlecone pine groves and alpine lakes.
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Arches National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delicate Arch Trail | 4988.954 | 186.8424 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Devils Garden Loop Trail with 7 Arches | 12070.05 | 325.8312 | Hard | loop | 5 |
| Double Arch Trail | 804.67 | 9.7536 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Fiery Furnace and Surprise Arch | 2735.878 | 132.8928 | Moderate | loop | 5 |
| Landscape Arch Trail | 3057.746 | 78.9432 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail | 1931.208 | 51.816 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Balanced Rock Loop Trail | 482.802 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4 |
| Park Avenue Trail | 2896.812 | 90.8304 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Sand Dune Arch Trail | 482.802 | 32.9184 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Wolfe Ranch and Petroglyph Trail | 804.67 | 4.8768 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
Most Popular Hiking Trails in Great Basin National Park
| Name | Length | Elevation | Type | Difficulty | Visitor Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeler Peak Trail via Stella Lake Trail | 13196.588 | 885.7488 | Hard | out and back | 5 |
| Bristlecone Pine Glacier Trail | 7242.03 | 322.7832 | Moderate | out and back | 4.5 |
| Alpine Lakes Trail | 4345.218 | 142.9512 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Lehman Cave | 643.736 | 13.716 | Easy | loop | 4.5 |
| Bristlecone and Alpine Lakes Loop | 8529.502 | 308.7624 | Moderate | loop | 4.5 |
| Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive | 37497.622 | 1175.9184 | Easy | out and back | 4.5 |
| Baker Lake Trail | 16737.136 | 813.816 | Hard | out and back | 4.5 |
| Teresa Lake | 2414.01 | 92.964 | Moderate | out and back | 5 |
| Baker Lake-Johnson Lake Loop | 20760.486 | 1330.7568 | Hard | loop | 4.5 |
| Lexington Arch Trail | 4667.086 | 340.7664 | Moderate | out and back | 4 |
Wildlife in Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park
Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park are both known for their unique landscapes and diverse wildlife. However, the types of wildlife that can be found in each park are quite different.
Arches National Park is located in the desert of southern Utah and is known for its red rock formations and desert landscapes. The park is home to a variety of desert animals such as lizards, snakes, and desert bighorn sheep. Visitors may also see small mammals like the desert cottontail and kangaroo rats. Birds such as the raven, turkey vulture, and roadrunner can also be seen in the park. In terms of plant life, visitors can see a variety of cacti and other desert plants such as the Joshua tree and yucca.
Great Basin National Park is located in eastern Nevada and is known for its rugged mountains, ancient bristlecone pines, and limestone caves. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions. Visitors may also see small mammals such as the pika and marmot, as well as a variety of bird species such as the great horned owl and the white-tailed ptarmigan. The park is also home to a variety of plant species such as sagebrush, aspen, and the ancient bristlecone pines, which are some of the oldest living organisms on Earth.
In summary, Arches National Park is known for its desert wildlife, including lizards, snakes, and desert bighorn sheep, while Great Basin National Park is known for its diverse wildlife, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions. Both parks offer unique plant life, with Arches National Park featuring desert plants and Great Basin National Park featuring ancient bristlecone pines and other high-elevation species.
Below are lists of the most commonly spotted wildlife at Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park. However, you can see a full list of wildlife at each national park here.
Birds
| Arches National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Peregrine Falcon | Peregrine Falcon |
| Northern Harrier | Northern Harrier |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | Sharp-Shinned Hawk |
| Osprey | Osprey |
| Tree Swallow | Tree Swallow |
| Mallard | Mallard |
| Canada Goose | Canada Goose |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow | Lincoln’s Sparrow |
| Ruby-Crowned Kinglet | Ruby-Crowned Kinglet |
| American Robin | American Robin |
| Great Horned Owl | Great Horned Owl |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | Red-Tailed Hawk |
| Northern Flicker | Northern Flicker |
| Merlin | Merlin |
| Barn Swallow | Barn Swallow |
| Savannah Sparrow | Savannah Sparrow |
| Great Blue Heron | Great Blue Heron |
| Hermit Thrush | Hermit Thrush |
| American Kestrel | American Kestrel |
| Bald Eagle | Bald Eagle |
| Song Sparrow | Song Sparrow |
| European Starling | European Starling |
| Northern Pintail | Northern Pintail |
| American Wigeon | American Wigeon |
| Green-Winged Teal | Green-Winged Teal |
Mammals
| Arches National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Coyote | Coyote |
| American Beaver | American Beaver |
| Muskrat | Muskrat |
| Big Brown Bat | Big Brown Bat |
| Bobcat | Bobcat |
| Striped Skunk | Striped Skunk |
| Little Brown Bat | Little Brown Bat |
| Deer Mouse | Deer Mouse |
| Raccoon | Raccoon |
| Black Bear | Porcupine |
| Porcupine | Silver-Haired Bat |
| Silver-Haired Bat | Hoary Bat |
| Hoary Bat | Red Fox |
| Red Fox | Long-Tailed Weasel |
| Long-Tailed Weasel | House Mouse |
| House Mouse | Lion |
| Mountain Lion | Mink |
| American Mink | Mule Deer |
| Mule Deer | Gray Fox |
| Common Gray Fox | Gray Wolf |
| Long-Legged Myotis | Long-Legged Myotis |
| Long-Eared Myotis | Long-Eared Myotis |
| American Badger | Badger |
| California Myotis | Ermine |
| Northern River Otter | Californis Myotis |
Reptiles
| Arches National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Gophersnake | Racer |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake | Greater Short-Horned Lizard |
| Eastern Racer | Rubber Boa |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard | Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard |
| Greater Short-Horned Lizard | Eastern Collared Lizard |
| Side-Blotched Lizard | Eastern Fence Lizard |
| Nightsnake | Long-Nosed Snake |
| Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard | Desert Spiny Lizard |
| Milksnake | Western Fence Lizard |
| Striped Whipsnake | |
| Smith’s Black-Headed Snake | |
| Tree Lizard | |
| Western Whiptail | |
| Eastern Collared Lizard |
Amphibians
| Arches National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Northern Leopard Frog | Tiger Salamander |
| Tiger Salamander | Woodhouse’s Toad |
| American Bullfrog | Red-Spotted Toad |
| Woodhouse’s Toad | Canyon Treefrog |
| Red-Spotted Toad | |
| Canyon Treefrog |
Fish
| Arches National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Rainbow Trout |
| Green Sunfish | Brook Trout |
| Bluegill | Brown Trout |
| Fathead Minnow | Mottled Sculpin |
| Common Carp | Speckled Dace |
| Speckled Dace | Cutthroat Trout |
| Yellow Bullhead |
Insects
| Arches National Park | Great Basin National Park |
|---|---|
| Orange Sulphur | |
| Painted Lady | |
| Monarch Butterfly | |
| American Painted Lady | |
| Red Admiral | |
| Mourningcloak | |
| Cabbage White | |
| Silvery Blue | |
| Common Checkered-Skipper | |
| Clouded Sulphur | |
| Commom Wood Nymph | |
| Purplish Copper | |
| Anise Swallowtail | |
| Gray Hairstreak |
Beautiful Landscapes in Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park
Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park both have many famous landscapes that are popular among visitors.
Arches National Park, located in Utah, is known for its more than 2,000 natural stone arches, including the famous Delicate Arch, which is the park’s most iconic feature and is often depicted on Utah license plates. The park also has many other beautiful landscapes, such as Park Avenue, a section of towering red rock cliffs that resemble a city street, and the Windows section, which features three large arches that frame spectacular views of the surrounding desert. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives and overlooks, such as the Devils Garden and the Park Road, which offer great views of the park’s natural beauty.
Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, is known for its ancient Bristlecone Pine trees, which is the oldest living tree species on Earth. The park also has many other beautiful landscapes, such as the Lehman Caves, which features beautiful underground marble caverns with intricate rock formations, and the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Visitors can also enjoy hiking and backpacking in the park’s many trails, such as the Wheeler Peak Trail, which leads to the summit of the park’s highest peak, and the Lexington Arch Trail, which takes visitors to the base of one of the park’s most iconic arches.
Both parks offer many beautiful landscapes and natural wonders for visitors to enjoy. Arches National Park is famous for its natural stone arches, while Great Basin National Park is known for its ancient Bristlecone Pine trees and the Lehman Caves. Both parks offer unique natural beauty and plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.
Things To-Do and Activities in Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park
Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park are both popular tourist destinations known for their unique natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Both parks offer a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy, but there are some key differences between the types of activities that are most popular at each park.
Arches National Park, located in Utah, is known for its more than 2,000 natural stone arches, and as such, hiking is one of the most popular activities. Visitors can explore the park’s many trails, including the short and easy hike to Delicate Arch, which offers a great view of the famous arch, as well as the Park Avenue and Balanced Rock trails, which take visitors through some of the park’s most iconic rock formations. In addition, visitors can also enjoy scenic drives, rock climbing, and stargazing.
Great Basin National Park, located in Nevada, is known for its ancient Bristlecone Pine trees, Lehman Caves and its diverse wildlife, and as such, outdoor activities are very popular. Visitors can enjoy hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing on the park’s many trails, such as the Wheeler Peak Trail, which leads to the summit of the park’s highest peak and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, as well as the Lexington Arch Trail, which takes visitors to the base of one of the park’s most iconic arches. Visitors can also enjoy cave tours, wildlife watching and stargazing.
Both parks offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, but the most popular activities at Arches National Park tend to be hiking and scenic drives, while the most popular activities at Great Basin National Park tend to be hiking, cave tours, wildlife watching and stargazing. Both parks are spectacular, and whichever you choose, you will not be disappointed with the natural beauty and recreational opportunities they offer.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park
Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park are both located in the western United States and have distinct seasonal weather patterns. The weather at each park affects the best time of year to visit.
Arches National Park is located in the desert of southern Utah and is known for its hot summers and mild winters. The park is extremely hot during the summer months, with temperatures often reaching above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time to visit the park is during the spring and fall when temperatures are cooler and more comfortable for hiking and exploring. It is also recommended to visit the park in the morning or evening, as the sun is less intense at these times. Winter can also be a good time to visit, as the park is less crowded and the temperatures are mild during the day.
Great Basin National Park is located in eastern Nevada and is known for its high elevations and cool temperatures. The park’s weather can vary greatly depending on the elevation. The higher elevations of the park, such as the peak of Wheeler Peak, can have snow year-round and can be quite chilly, even in the summer. The lower elevations of the park, such as the Lehman Caves, have milder temperatures, but can still be cool in the summer. The best time to visit the park is during the summer when the park’s wildflowers are in bloom and the days are mild. The park is also a great place to visit in the fall when the aspens are changing color.
In summary, Arches National Park’s best time to visit is in the spring and fall because of the comfortable temperatures and mild weather, while Great Basin National Park’s best time to visit is during the summer when the wildflowers are in bloom and the weather is mild. Both parks can be visited in the winter, but visitors should be prepared for cold temperatures and possible snow at Great Basin National Park.
Family Friendliness of Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park
Both Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park are family-friendly parks, but each park offers different experiences for families.
Arches National Park is a great place to visit with children because it has a variety of easy hiking trails and educational programs. The park has several short and easy hikes that are suitable for children, such as the Park Avenue Trail, which is a one-mile trail that takes hikers through a section of the park that resembles a city street. The park also offers educational programs for children, such as ranger-led hikes and campfire talks, which can be a fun and interactive way for children to learn about the park’s natural and cultural history. Additionally, the park offers many scenic drives that are perfect for families with kids, where they can see the park’s famous arches and other natural wonders from the car.
Great Basin National Park is also a great place to visit with children, but it offers a different type of experience. The park offers a variety of hiking trails of different levels of difficulty, and families can choose trails that are suitable for their children’s abilities. The park also has a variety of educational programs for children, such as ranger-led hikes and campfire talks, which can be a fun and interactive way for children to learn about the park’s natural and cultural history. Additionally, the park offers a scenic drive to the top of the park’s highest peak, Wheeler Peak, which can be a great way for families to experience the park’s high-elevation landscapes without having to hike.
In conclusion, both Arches National Park and Great Basin National Park are family-friendly parks that offer different experiences for families. Arches National Park is great for families with younger children because of its easy hiking trails and educational programs, while Great Basin National Park is great for families with children of all ages because of its variety of hiking trails and educational programs. Both parks offer many opportunities for families to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of the park.